Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream, TV Info

Liverpool return to Selhurst Park on Saturday, the scene of two of their worst days in 2014, to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fifth round.

Brendan Rodgers' side suffered a humiliating 3-3 draw after being 3-0 up with 11 minutes remaining as they foolishly went seeking goal difference in their pursuit of the Premier League title back in April.

Then on their return to south east London in November they were defeated 3-1 by Neil Warnock's side, this time with two goals in the last 12 minutes on a rain-soaked afternoon.

That match signalled the end of Rodgers' persistence with the 4-2-3-1 formation and with Steven Gerrard playing as a deep-lying midfielder. Liverpool since then have been rejuvenated with a change to 3-4-2-1 taking place in mid-December.

Palace themselves are also in good form, having replaced Warnock with Alan Pardew early last month. The Eagles have suffered just one defeat in their last six games in the Premier League.

Liverpool overcome Bolton after a late comeback in a replay in the fourth round, while Palace beat Southampton 3-2.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Date: Saturday, February 14th

Time: 5:30 p.m. GMT / 11:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Selhurst Park, London

TV Info: BT Sport 1 / FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes and FOX Soccer 2Go

Live Stream: BT Sport 1 (UK only)  FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S. only)

Predicted Formations

For Palace, Yannick Bolasie, who has enjoyed his last two games against Liverpool, has returned just in time for this match and therefore should get the nod ahead of Wilfried Zaha. Dwight Gayle, another of Liverpool's tormentors in 2014, could come in ahead of Fraizer Campbell up front. Pardew's side are without captain Mile Jedinak who has returned from Asian Cup duty injured.

For Liverpool, Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva's respective injuries mean Emre Can is likely to move into midfield. Rodgers would then have to decide between Glen Johnson or Dejan Lovren on the right of defence. Alternatively, Rodgers could simply put Joe Allen in midfield to keep the back three the same. Raheem Sterling faces a late fitness test.

B/R

Form Lines (all competitions)

Crystal Palace

Drew 1-1 vs Newcastle

Won 1-0 vs Leicester City

Lost 1-0 vs Everton

Won 3-2 vs Southampton (FA Cup)

Won 3-2 vs Burnley

Liverpool

Won 3-2 vs Tottenham

Drew 0-0 vs Everton

Won 2-1 vs Bolton (FA Cup)

Won 2-0 vs West Ham

Lost 1-0 (aet) vs Chelsea (League Cup)

Player to watch

Crystal Palace: Joe Ledley

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Ledley has been the man to shelve the responsibility in midfield under Pardew due to Jedinak's absence through Asian Cup duty. The Welshman has been in good form and Liverpool, whoever plays in midfield, must ensure he cannot dominate in the central area.

Liverpool: Lazar Markovic

Jordon Ibe is cup-tied for Liverpool so Markovic could return to the right side of midfield. The Serbian has been in impressive form in 2015 and will be a key man for the visitors both going forward and defensively to deny space to run at the Reds' defence.

Key battle

Liverpool defence vs Yannick Bolasie and Dwight Gayle

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Having returned from the African Cup of Nations, Bolasie was instrumental in Palace's equalising goal against Newcastle United midweek. He and top-scorer Gayle arrived off the bench to turn the game around. Those two players were the men who undid Liverpool in that 3-3 draw at Selhurst last April, with Gayle scoring twice. Gayle then scored the equaliser in this match earlier this season.

Liverpool's defence has looked far more assured with Can, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho forming a solid back three of late but should Rodgers opt to move Can into midfield, whoever comes in will need to be on their game. Johnson had a torrid time in this match in November.

Odds (via Oddschecker)

Palace win: 14/5

Draw: 13/5

Liverpool win: 11/10

Adam Lallana FGS: 10/1

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool